Justus Sheffield made his first statement to be a part of the Mariners rotation.
Sheffield pitched two hitless innings in his spring training debut for Seattle against the Rockies on Sunday, striking out four.
“I was so ready. I haven’t seen live action since last year. I was biting at the bit and ready to get out there,” Sheffield told the Seattle Times.
It was Sheffield’s first official outing outside the Yankees organization since he was the key piece in the offseason deal that sent veteran left-hander James Paxton to the Bronx. Sheffield, 22, had been one of the top pitching prospects in the Yankees organization and made three relief appearances with the big league team in September.
Sheffield is now one of the key pieces of the Mariners rebuild.
“Justus just carries himself so well, and I keep saying that,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “But there’s a confidence level that he kind of knows this is his time. He’s done what he needs to do at the minor league level. He still has things to work on, but he wants to make a good impression, and it was very good today.”
Sheffield is still not expected to make the rotation out of spring training, but is likely to be a part of the rotation at some time this season. How quickly that happens depends on Sheffield, who is working to improve his changeup this spring.
“I threw some good changeups out there today,” Sheffield said. “I had a strikeout off my changeup. That’s what I’ve really been working on this offseason, making that third pitch a strikeout pitch — not just a weak-contact pitch.”
Sheffield’s outing came against major league hitters, including getting Rockies star third baseman Nolan Arenado to ground out to second base. Sheffield’s Mariners debut was delayed by a blister and shoddy weather in Arizona.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot right now,” Sheffield said. “I think I had two swings and misses and a strikeout out on it. It’s just the sense of getting out there throwing it, getting repetitions with it and continuing it in my throwing program.”